Wales skipper Callender passed fit for Women's Rugby World Cup opener against Scotland / Photo: Marty MELVILLE - AFP
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Wales skipper Callender passed fit for Women's Rugby World Cup opener against Scotland
Wales co-captain Alex Callender has been passed fit for the team's Women's Rugby World Cup opener against Scotland on Saturday following an ankle injury.
The back-row forward limped off just four minutes into the second Test against Australia -- which Wales lost 36-5 -- on August 1 before returning to the sidelines in a boot and on crutches.
But Callender was included in the starting 15 named by coach Sean Lynn on Thursday and will skipper the side alongside Kate Williams when they face the Scots in Salford, northwest England.
Wales wing Lisa Neumann, who made her Test debut against Scotland in 2018, will win her 50th cap against the same side on Saturday.
Scotland and Wales have enjoyed a keen rivalry in the Six Nations in recent seasons, with the Scots 24-21 winners in this year's edition.
Competition between the two Celtic nations has been intensified by the fact that several players involved feature the same clubs in England's Premiership Women's Rugby -- for example, Wales scrum-half Keira Bevan and the Scotland trio of Emma Orr, Lana Skeldon and Elliann Orr are all team-mates at Bristol.
- 'Huge boost' -
Wales coach Sean Lynn, after announcing his matchday 23 for the opening game of a Pool B also featuring Canada and Fiji, said: "We have selected the strongest squad available for what is a vital Test match, and we know all 23 players will play a part in delivering a performance against Scotland.
"Alex Callender has been declared fit and is raring to go and being able to select her is a huge boost for the squad."
He added: "We are under no illusions of the importance of the opening game of our Pool at a World Cup and are determined to produce a performance worthy of the tournament and against a side who we enjoy a great rivalry with."
Scotland hooker Skeldon, the most-capped player in the Dark Blues' squad, was named in the starting side by coach Bryan Easson after recovering from an ankle injury in a warm-up game against Ireland three weeks ago.
Sarah Bonar will partner Emma Wassell, back playing Test rugby after an operation to remove a tumour on her chest, in the second row of a side again captained by openside flanker Rachel Malcolm.
There is also a tournament debut for scrum-half Leia Brebner-Holden.
Teams (15-1)
Scotland: Chloe Rollie; Rhona Lloyd, Emma Orr, Lisa Thomson, Francesca McGhie; Helen Nelson, Leia Brebner-Holden; Evie Gallagher, Rachel McLachlan, Rachel Malcolm (capt); Sarah Bonar, Emma Wassell; Elliann Clarke, Lana Skeldon, Leah Bartlett
Replacements: Elis Martin, Molly Wright, Lisa Cockburn, Jade Konkel, Eva Donaldson, Alex Stewart, Caity Mattinson, Beth Blacklock
Coach: Bryan Easson (SCO)
Wales: Nel Metcalfe; Lisa Neumann, Hannah Dallavalle, Courtney Keight, Jasmine Joyce-Butchers; Lleucu George, Keira Bevan; Alex Callender (co-capt), Bethan Lewis, Kate Williams (co-capt); Gwen Crabb, Alaw Prys; Donna Rose, Kelsey Jones, Gwenllian Prys
Replacements: Carys Phillips, Maisie Davies, Sisilia Tuipulotu, Abbie Fleming, Georgia Evans, Seren Lockwood, Kayleigh Powell, Carys Cox
Coach: Sean Lynch (WAL)
M.Marchal--JdCdC
